Ways to Find Jobs and Internships using the Power of Linkedin

Previously in the post: Smart Ways to getting your choice internship position, I included how linkedin can prove to be a very powerful tool in grabbing internship offers. In this article, I will elaborate more on this and give guidelines on how to use this awesome tool – linkedin jobs to get into that company of your dreams.

I personally have heard numerous testimonies of how linkedin helped a lot of people get jobs. One of which claimed that all his job offers has been from linkedin. However, I discovered that a lot of students and early graduates undermine the power of linkedin and go about using the conventional approach to searching for jobs and get back saying there are no jobs!

How to Use Linkedin for Job / Internship Search

Create a strong Profile

If you are open to new job opportunities, then it is vital that you have a strong and engaging profile to stand out from the crowd and get yourself noticed.

Setting up a LinkedIn profile can take time, so people often leave sections blank or fill out the bare minimum required, which makes for some pretty uninspiring and forgettable profiles. If you want to appear in a recruiter’s radar then you need to ensure your profile ticks the boxes listed below:

Include a professional photo with a corporate smile – your profile will look more legitimate and trustworthy.

Write a brief description for each of your roles – just list the key/topline responsibilities, because sometimes the same job title can have quite different responsibilities in different companies

Include industry keywords in your job descriptions, like automation, robotics, KPMG, FMCG ect which means you’ll pop up in more searches and more searches means more job opportunities

To notify recruiters that you are open to new job opportunities select the On option under Let recruiters know you’re open, which you will find in the Career interests section of your profile’s private dashboard. No one from your company can view it and it makes it easier for recruiters when they’re searching for candidates

Having a strong profile on LinkedIn will definitely increase your odds of being headhunted for roles, so if you haven’t set one up yet or if your current profile is looking bare boned then it is time to get cracking, flesh out your profile and get yourself noticed! (Reference- Numero)

See what connections can help you find your way in.

Don’t underestimate the incredible power of your professional network and a casual conversation. Your connections or mutual connections can be the key to finding your next career opportunity. LinkedIn surfaces people you know within messaging when you’re looking at a job listing or a company page to help you identify where you have an in.

Build your network. If you connect your email address with your profile, LinkedIn will automatically scour your contacts for any possible connections. You can also search for and connect with people who have worked with or attended school with you.

An excellent way to find previous colleagues, managers, professors, peers, and even alumni of your college is to use the “Advanced” button on the right side of the search bar. It is here that you can enter a keyword, first name, last name, title, company, school (college), and location to find people you may want to connect with. You will also get invitations to connect from those who view your Profile and want to connect online.

Get Recommendations

Ask the people you’re connected with on LinkedIn to provide a recommendation on your (past or current) performance. This may be a professor or a previous employer. Supervisors and people hiring for internships will check these out, so don’t discount their power.

And remember to return the favor if you’re able to—it’s a professional courtesy if you can provide a recommendation for someone who’s done the same for you. You may want to check out this video, “How to Ask for References After an Internship,” to better understand the reference process.

Look For LinkedIn Groups

Check with your college or academic department to see if they have a LinkedIn group where you can instantly connect with thousands of people who have already joined and are participating on the site.

You can also join other groups based on your professional interests. So it’s a good idea to search for any groups that may lead to future internships.

Turn on the Lens

You can search for internships and jobs on LinkedIn. Check out companies and the job search section to uncover opportunities in a career field and location of interest. You can also reach out to your connections to lead you in the right direction.

LinkedIn now makes it easier to apply for a position. If you find an internship that you just can’t pass up, you may be able to apply directly through the site. LinkedIn has an “Easy Apply” button that allows you to upload a cover letter and resume that will go directly to the recruiter. If a job doesn’t have that button, the “Apply” function also makes it easy to put your name in the hat. It may direct you to the company’s website, landing you on the page for that specific internship.

A lot of companies will also take out the guesswork in who is doing the hiring by posting the recruiter’s name and profile on the internship opportunity on LinkedIn. If you need to, you can message the person directly with any questions you may have.

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Mbscholars is not affiliated with any scholarship organization or recruiting company. Inasmuch as we provide you with updates, we assume no responsibility or liability as to the accuracy of the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. Use information at your own discretion.